A facile one-pot method was developed to synthesize magnetic nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) decorated on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with NaHB4 as a reductant under microwave irradiation. The morphologies and structures of the Ni-rGO hybrids were investigated by electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. The results showed that Ni-rGO hybrids composed of the well-dispersed Ni NPs with an average diameter of 12 nm were successfully prepared. To demonstrate one potential application, the catalytic ability of Ni-rGO was evaluated and it was found that Ni-rGO showed much enhanced catalytic ability, good recyclability and stability toward the catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol. The excellent catalytic activity of Ni-rGO hybrids was due possibly to the synergistic effect of Ni NPs and rGO, including the uniform distribution of Ni NPs onto rGO, enhanced electrons separation and transport, as well as the fast adsorption of p-nitrophenol by rGO. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.